Heinz baked Beans on toast with HP sauce, Boddingtons and Sam Smiths and Newcastle Brown, angel cake with strawberries, Rose’s chocolates, Walkers’ shortbread, elderberry cordial, home-made scones, imported Wensleydale and Red Leicester on Jacob’s Crackers, Fawlty Towers on the TV, Escape From Colditz on the coffee table – and the rain held off all day, allowing for an inaugural game of footie in our newly grassed back garden.

Yes, it was a very British birthday brunch – inspired, at almost the last moment, by St. George’s Day middle of last week and the desire to have a little celebration without inviting too many people or offending those we didn’t. A big “cheers” to the Brit-born friends who came along, with their American or Kiwi spouses, and too all, especially the kids, who came in their England national or club team shirts. (Most of the kids came straight from their own Sunday league ‘s*ccer’ games, footie having pretty much usurped baseball as the game of childrens’ choice in our neck of the woods.) A wonderful way to celebrate a relatively minor anniversary. Presumably, the pictures all speak for themselves. Next year’s a big’un – even if it will fall on a Monday.